No matter what job you are seeking, having the right skills makes it easier to succeed. If you are trying to move into management at your organization, or applying for management jobs elsewhere, it helps to understand which traits are most important. Knowing the traits that help managers be successful enhances your chances of getting the job and helps you to be more productive after you are hired.

Organization

Managers often must juggle many tasks at the same time, so they need to have strong organizational skills. Those organizational skills help managers deal with multiple projects and to prioritize by determining which ones are truly the most important. Strong organizational skills also help managers to schedule their workers to ensure that all the work gets done on time.

Communication Skills

A manager needs to communicate effectively with people at all levels of the organization. The manager needs to speak to subordinates and explain exactly what needs to be done. At the same time, the manager needs to communicate effectively with upper management and with clients and customers. Strong written communication skills are required when writing memos, emails and formal business letters and proposals. Solid verbal communication skills are essential when conducting meetings and conference calls.

People Skills

If you plan to work as a manager, you will need to get along with all kinds of people and deal with many personalities. Strong interpersonal and people skills are essential for any manager. A good manager understands the needs of the employees while ensuring that every member of the team makes a contribution. Managers also need a sense of whom to hire and whom to let go, and their people skills play a big role in that decision-making process. Managers sometimes also serve as coaches and mentors for good employees who are having trouble reaching their full potential. The ability to challenge those underperforming employees and help them to do better is an essential skill.

Motivation

Helping employees understand why their jobs matter to the organization is a big part of being a successful manager. A good manager knows how to motivate employees, both as a team and as individual workers. Successful managers are particularly good at helping employees see how their individual jobs fit into the big picture and help the company succeed.

Leadership

Managers must serve as the leaders for their teams, and they need solid leadership skills to accomplish their goals. A good manager is willing to work directly with the employees to get the job done right. The willingness to do whatever it takes also helps to build trust with the workers on the floor, another important trait successful managers need to have. Good managers know how to delegate responsibilities to their subordinates, but they also know how to follow up to ensure that all those delegated tasks are completed on time.